New details emerge in Santa Maria Church attack: They entered the church wearing masks
New details have emerged in the indictment regarding the armed attack on the Santa Maria Church in Sarıyer, Istanbul.
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The indictment regarding the armed attack on the Santa Maria Church in Sarıyer, Istanbul, on January 28, has shed light on the details of the incident.
According to Musa Kesler from Hürriyet, it was learned that Tuncer Cihan (52), who lost his life in the attack, had a mental disability and had left home before the attack telling his family, "There are refreshments, I will eat cake and cookies."
At the time of the attack, a Sunday mass was being held at the church under the leadership of Archpriest Anton Bulai.
Two of the terrorists entered the church wearing masks that completely covered their faces and black clothing.
They first observed the worshippers by opening the inner door of the church.
At that exact moment, Tuncer Cihan entered through the outer door of the church. One of the terrorists, Amirjon, opened the inner door and let Cihan inside.
The other terrorist, David Tanduev, shot Cihan in the head at close range and continued to fire even after he had fallen to the ground.
Footage of these moments, captured by security cameras, has also been entered into the case file.
Huriye Cihan, the mother of Tuncer Cihan, who lost his life in the attack, was included in the indictment as a complainant.
Stating that her son has a mental disability and possesses a medical report, the mother explained that before going to the church on the day of the attack, her son had said, "There will be refreshments, I will eat cake and cookies, and I will chat with people."
Her sister, Özlem Cihan, also stated that her brother had planned to pick up their mother from Sarıyer that day and return home.
This tragic incident occurred when the attackers let Cihan inside the moment he entered the church, and the events were recorded in the judicial file with all their details.